Cooperation and conflict in the small-scale fisheries of Puerto Rico

Abstract

This study aimed to answer the calls to understand where, when, and how fisheries conflict and fisheries cooperation trends emerge in the small-scale fisheries systems for the small-island U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Exploration of the dynamics between the date, location, drivers, and actors involved in conflict and cooperation interactions related to fisheries resources was achieved by creating a database via media content analysis and a qualitative social network analysis approach. During the timeframe of 2010–2019, a total of 35 fisheries conflicts and 133 fisheries cooperation events were identified. The primary drivers of all fisheries conflict events in Puerto Rico were maritime crime, an actual or perceived decline in fish populations, ecosystem change, cross national actors, poverty, marginalization, and strategic location of fisheries. The primary drivers of all fisheries cooperation events were an actual or perceived decline in fish populations and ecosystem change. Of all the cooperation events coded, nearly three quarters fell under meetings, third-party support, or negotiation requests. While half of the fisheries conflict events fell under fines, permit denials, or negotiations halted. Social network analysis revealed a gap in direct cooperation networks between regional environmental managers and fishers, suggesting an opportunity for stronger co-management agreements; there is potential for these agreements to be incentivized by existing links between fishers and university actors and NGOs.